Thursday, October 31, 2013

Carbon Monoxide News October 31, 2013 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time
through our archives for previous CO News links.

“Larger voices calling”
Crosby, Stills & Nash - "Southern Cross" - music link

Combustion analyzers and flashlights
A furnace technician finds a furnace with a crack in the heat exchanger at a customer’s residence. A new furnace is installed. It is connected electrically, to the existing gas line & vent and duct work. It reacts to the thermostat and shuts down. The customer is satisfied and gets a warranty. This new furnace was installed without verifying the manufacturer given criteria for installation, just like the previous one, the one that cracked. “And this,” someone said, “this is status quo.”

Cracks in heat exchangers are certainly something to contend with, but those older, stamped metal, Category I heat exchangers have small, almost fist sized holes in them at their outlets, before the draft hood; these openings are actually of a greater concern than a crack. The same is true with Category I water heaters. These also come with a hole directly connected to the atmosphere from the fire box via the top of the flue tube, under the draft hood. These become even more of a concern as buildings get tightened up for winter and pressure differences within building zones increase.

Why are these manufactured holes more of a concern than a crack, they came as part of the manufactured structure of the equipment? Building pressure is the competing force issue. Draft pressure versus building pressure – which one is greater? You must measure to find the difference. Draft measurement is a component of combustion analysis.

The old-schooler’s taught us to light matches or use the smoke from a candle or cigarette to verify “draft” of a Category I appliance. That’s not a measurement. That is smoke entering a draft hood with dilution air or, the indication of backflow from the chimney or spillage of combustion gasses unable to reach the vent or chimney. It is merely an indication, not a measurement. It is still science, just not measurement.

Cracks in heat exchangers are one of the least causes of CO poisoning in homes using gas furnaces, but a condition that is worth looking for because of the replacement factor. Technicians are quick to grab a flashlight to look for cracks but finish their careers without ever conducting combustion analysis on a system. Cracks are important, there is no doubt. But let’s start up and service all new equipment by installing and performance test them to all manufacturer specifications, specifically fuel pressure and combustion air, followed by combustion performance verification. Yes, you still need a flashlight on the job.

The tools of the professional combustion furnace tradesman include a duel pressure manometer, duel temperature thermometer, and a combustion gas analyzer. (These as you know, can all come packaged in one instrument.) The analyzer can also suggest cracks in heat exchangers through the detectable changes of oxygen and/or CO in flue gas measurement during service performance testing. The technician also uses a combustible gas leak detector and an instrument that measures carbon monoxide in their customers air while they are providing service.

Technicians, start your analyzers. Furnace heat exchangers would crack less if the equipment was set up properly to begin with and verified via performance testing, simple stuff for the professional.
Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
 
CO and Air Quality News Links
Carbon-monoxide leak causes WWNY-TV 7 studio to be evacuated
WatertownDailyTimes.com

The building that houses WWNY-TV 7 studios and the Victims Assistance Center was evacuated early Wednesday after a carbon-monoxide leak sent an ... Added news link to original CO News links postings for 10/31/13.
Police gather outside an evacuated apartment building in the 13700 block of 35th Avenue Northeast near Lake City responding to a call about carbon monoxide…

Two Dead After Apparent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Patch.com

Firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide in the home and found a ... believe the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning because they were ...

Officials remind community to check carbon monoxide detectors
Kota

Those home appliances can give off carbon monoxide -- an odorless and ... If you think that you're exposed to carbon monoxide, Bowen says to call 911…

Free carbon monoxide alarms distributed in memory of young ...
Sonoran News

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Event where 100 free CO alarms will be distributed to the public to protect them from the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide ...

Residents of Fargo apartment building escape harm after furnace ...
In-Forum

FARGO – Residents of a Fargo apartment building escaped harm early Wednesday after a faulty furnace spread carbon monoxide through the building…

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? Take control inside your homes.
-Link to: CO alarm standards 
The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 carbon monoxide alarm test point is:
- 70 PPM to 149 PPM –resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours
Please read the alarm information on the packageand in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

These following links may be of some use to you:
-
The World Clock - Time Zones
- Google Maps-
- Earthquake Map


Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning Carbonmonoxidekills.com

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes

Twenty-seven U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska
| Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia

The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments

The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts CO-Experts Model 2014 Brochure
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Carbon Monoxide News October 30, 2013 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time
through our archives for previous CO News links.

“Beware of the person of one book.”
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274, bio link)

Two things make carbon monoxide a hazard:
1. It is produced in enough of a concentration to affect health
2. It has a way to reach breathable air

Another CO poisoning tragedy in another community has once again triggered an alarm to residents that carbon monoxide threats are nothing to be cavalier about. The poison is bigger and stronger than any ego on the planet. Get an alarm that alerts you to the hazard before you begin to feel the symptoms.

Winter weather is coming or here already in the northern climates. Get those furnaces and all interior combustion systems tested for carbon monoxide generation and have them tuned up by certified and the continually trained heating technician. You must make sure they have the proper testing instruments to complete the task successfully, otherwise, they are ripping you off, perhaps leaving you and/or your family in danger.

Do not be fooled or lulled into complacence. Carbon monoxide is a clear and present danger.
Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety.

CO and Air Quality News Links
School to host carbon monoxide awareness event Saturday
nwitimes.com

MERRILLVILLE | Pierce Middle School is organizing a public service project to get carbon monoxide detectors into the homes of Merrillville residents…

Barracks Road Kroger Evacuated Following Electrical Issue
NBC 29 News

The electrical arcing caused some smoke and released carbon monoxide to an unsafe level for ... Crews ventilated the building to clear the carbon monoxide…

Attic fire breaks out at Fontana home
Fontana Herald-News

At 5:47 a.m., firefighters responded to a call for a carbon monoxide alarm sounding and arrived to find a fire burning in the attic of a home in the 7300 block of…

NIPSCO: Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning during winter ...
Chesterton Tribune

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-corrosive gas and a by-product of the combustion of fuels such as coal, wood, charcoal, natural ...

Bill could see CO detectors mandatory in homes
CTV News Barrie

A law to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in Ontario (Canada) could clear another hurdle this week. And for at least one family and for a lot of fire departments, ...

Volunteers help elderly residents in Brooks stay safe in their homes
Bangor Daily News

Waldo County Triad volunteers worked Saturday morning to deliver and install reflective house number signs and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for ...

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? Take control inside your homes.
-Link to: CO alarm standards 
The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 carbon monoxide alarm test point is:
- 70 PPM to 149 PPM –resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours
Please read the alarm information on the packageand in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

These following links may be of some use to you:
-
The World Clock - Time Zones
- Google Maps-
- Earthquake Map


Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning Carbonmonoxidekills.com

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes

Twenty-seven U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska
| Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia

The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments

The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts CO-Experts Model 2014 Brochure
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Carbon Monoxide News October 29, 2013 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time
through our archives for previous CO News links.

“It's human nature to gripe, but I'm going ahead and doing the best I can.” Elvis Presley (1935-1977, bio link)

CO and Air Quality News Links
Glastonbury Hotel Evacuated for Carbon... Added since first posting 
NBC Connecticut
The Homewood Suites hotel at 65 Glastonbury Boulevard in Glastonbury has been evacuated after a carbon monoxide detector went off, according to the ...

Newport man dies from carbon monoxide fumes
Pioneer Press

A Newport man and his dog died Friday when they were overcome by carbon monoxide. "It was purely accidental," said Newport Police Chief …

Family survives carbon monoxide scare after being alerted by cat
NewsNet5.com

When firefighters arrived they found CO levels of 150 in the garage… “As we proceeded down to the basement the readings were up to 700 parts per million,” said South Euclid Firefighter and Paramedic Marvin Willock. “Normal we consider anything seven and below.”… Laura and Jackie were taken to the hospital and eventually released once the CO in their blood got down to an acceptable level. They didn’t come directly home though, they stopped at the store and bought a carbon monoxide detector.

First Person Near Omaha To Get Sick From Carbon Monoxide ...
KPTM-TV

OMAHA (KPTM) – The Nebraska Medical Center treated its first patient poisoned with carbon monoxide Sunday night. As temperatures lower, it urged people to ...

Close call in Dawson City, Yukon
CBC.ca

A campaign to put a working carbon monoxide and smoke detector in every ... the program and decided to check the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector…

Fire marshal reminds people to change alarm batteries
The Star Democrat

EASTON — In anticipation of daylight savings time ending Nov. 3, State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci is urging Marylanders to “Change your clock — change your battery” in both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in their homes…

Fire service backs mother's plea
Grimsby Telegraph

JULES Hunt, of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, backed the call, saying: "I urge residents to ensure they have carbon monoxide alarms installed in their ...

Hurricane Sandy Brought Surge in Carbon Monoxide Poisonings
LiveScience.com

The devastation following Hurricane Sandy's battering of the U.S. East Coast one year ago was enormous. The super storm destroyed or damaged thousands of ...

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? Take control inside your homes.
-Link to: CO alarm standards 
The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 carbon monoxide alarm test point is:
- 70 PPM to 149 PPM –resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours
Please read the alarm information on the packageand in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

These following links may be of some use to you:
-
The World Clock - Time Zones
- Google Maps-
- Earthquake Map


Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning Carbonmonoxidekills.com

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes

Twenty-seven U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska
| Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia

The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments

The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts CO-Experts Model 2014 Brochure
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International

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